Texans report: Clowney gets reps, but unsure for Steelers

Jadeveon Clowney
Houston Texans
2014 NFL photo
This is a 2014 photo of Jadeveon Clowney of the Houston Texans NFL football team. This image reflects the Houston Texans active roster as of Friday, June 20, 2014 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Jadeveon Clowney
Houston Texans
2014 NFL photo
This is a 2014...

The No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL draft will have final say in when he returns to action. Or at least a voice in the decision.

Jadeveon Clowney practiced Friday, marking the first time the Texans rookie linebacker worked out with his team since tearing his right meniscus cartilage during the first half of a Week 1 game against Washington.

Clowney said he is day-to-day and unsure whether he will play Monday at Pittsburgh.

There are football activities with which he struggles, such as changing direction. But the former South Carolina star wants to play versus the Steelers and is expected to be a game-time decision.

"Coach (Bill O'Brien) has got my best interest, I believe," Clowney said at NRG Stadium. "He told me when I'm ready to come back and I'm feeling good to where I want to play, to let him know and that's what I'm going to do.

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"Right now, it's up to me and what I can do. If I can do it, I'll do it. But if I can't, I just let the coaches know that it's bothering me and they'll take me out of that drill. It's really up to me what I can do and can't do."

O'Brien initially said Clowney was ahead of schedule, then scaled back expectations by saying the defender was "iffy" and "50-50" to play against the Steelers on "Monday Night Football." Clowney didn't practice Thursday and O'Brien said if the rookie was active versus Pittsburgh he would be limited. Friday, Clowney ran with his teammates and O'Brien was more optimistic.

"He seemed to be moving around decently," O'Brien said. "He didn't take a ton of reps (Friday) but the ones that he did, he seemed to be moving around well. It's obvious that he's been in the meetings and studying, because in the reps that he did take he knew what to do, which is a good sign."

Clowney is at the end of his six-week return timetable. If he doesn't play against Pittsburgh, an Oct. 26 contest at Tennessee is next on the calendar.

"When I first got hurt, I didn't know how long it was going to take to get back and I was upset about it," Clowney said. "(The trainers) sent me through the rehab and I bump heads with some of the trainers every day. It will make you upset, but they're helping me get to where I want to be. I see improvement on my leg and everything. I thank them, but I also get mad at them from time to time. It's coming along good."

Reed fit to return against Steelers

Coach Bill O'Brien said linebacker Brooks Reed should be "good to go" against the Steelers.

Reed also said he expects to play. But he's unsure how much he'll be able to accomplish until he takes the field.

"I didn't think I was going to be able to recover this fast," Reed said.